Blueberry plant named ‘NS 13-4’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, which is denominated varietally as ‘NS 13-4’ is described, with a strong vigor and which produces very large fruit, which is medium to high in acidity, under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.

Latin name: Vaccinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: The invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of blueberry plant, a Vaccinium hybrid, with a variety denomination hereinafter as ‘NS 13-4’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119 to Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) Application No. 2018/3059 for Community Plant Variety Rights, filed on Nov. 22, 2018 for a blueberry plant with a variety denomination of ‘NS 13-4’, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

The new variety of blueberry plant resulted from an ongoing development program of plant breeding conducted to identify such plants. The purpose of the program was to improve the commercial quality of blueberry plants and other plant species. To this end, controlled, hybrid, cross-pollinations were made in order to produce plant populations from which improved progeny were evaluated and thereafter selected.

The ‘NS 13-4’ blueberry plant was originated and selected from a population of new plants growing on the breeder's property, which is located at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia. The new variety of blueberry plant was derived from a controlled, hybrid, cross-pollination of the seed parent, blueberry plant ‘7-26’ (unpatented), and a pollen parent, blueberry plant ‘8-10’ (unpatented) during the 2012 growing season.

PRIOR VARIETIES

The seed parent ‘7-26’ is characterized principally by a semi-upright growth habit, a medium vigor, an early season first pick date, and further produces large-sized, medium firmness, high sweetness, and low acidity fruit under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia. The seed parent ‘7-26’ is semi-evergreen and produces fruit on one-year-old shoots only.

The pollen parent ‘8-10’, on the other hand, is characterized principally by a semi-upright growth habit, a strong vigor, an early season first pick date, and further produces large-sized, firm, high sweetness, and medium acidity fruit under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia. The pollen parent ‘8-10’ is semi-evergreen and produces fruit on one-year-old shoots only.

ORIGIN

The seed from the seed parent ‘7-26’ produced approximately 700 plants following cross-pollination. These new plants were then grown at the aforementioned property, and fruit from these new plants was first observed in 2013. A subsequent assessment of these same self-fertile, new plants conducted during the 2014 growing season led to selecting the ‘NS 13-4’ variety for further evaluation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The further evaluation included an asexual vegetative propagation, by vegetative cuttings, at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia. Subsequent evaluations of the newly derived plant in the 2015 growing season led to a conclusion that the ‘NS 13-4’ variety was a distinct and new variety of blueberry plant found to be true to the original plant. The new variety of blueberry plant was considered to be novel in view of its strong vigor and very large fruit, which exhibited medium to high acidity.

COMPARISONS

In comparison to the seed parent ‘7-26’ under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia, the new variety has a noteworthy vigor. In this regard, the seed parent is considered to have a medium vigor. However, the new variety of blueberry plant has a strong vigor. In addition, the seed parent produces fruit having a fruit size considered to be large. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry plant produces fruit considered to be very large. Further, the seed parent produces fruit considered to exhibit low acidity. This is in contrast to the fruit of the new variety of blueberry plant, which is considered to exhibit medium to high acidity.

In comparison to the pollen parent ‘8-10’ under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia, both the new variety and the pollen parent are considered to have a strong vigor. In addition, the pollen parent produces fruit having a fruit size considered to be large. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry plant produces fruit considered to be very large. Further, the pollen parent produces fruit considered to exhibit medium acidity. This is in contrast to the fruit of the new variety of blueberry plant, which is considered to exhibit medium to high acidity.

The new variety of blueberry plant is readily distinguishable from the most closely related, known variety, the ‘EB 9-2’ blueberry plant described in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,149, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this regard, the closest known variety ‘EB 9-2’ has a vigor considered to be strong to very strong under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry plant has a vigor considered to be strong. In addition, the closest known variety, produces fruit having a fruit size considered to be large to very large for the species. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry plant produces very large fruit. Further, the closest known variety produces fruit having a fruit acidity considered to be low to medium. This is in contrast to the new variety, which produces medium to high acidity fruit.

The comparisons described above are summarized in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Summary of Comparisons ‘NS 13-4’ ‘EB 9-2’ ‘7-26’ (Seed) ‘8-10’ (Pollen) Plant vigor Strong Strong to very Medium Strong strong Fruit size Very large Large to very Large Large large Fruit acidity Medium to Low to Low Medium high medium In addition, Table 2 below compares the ‘NS 13-’ variety to several sibling cultivars that resulted from same the seed parent ‘7-26’ and pollen parent ‘8-10’, namely, ‘NS 13-5’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,745), ‘NS 13-6’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,934), and ‘NS 14-3’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,626).

TABLE 2 Comparison to Sibling Cultivars ‘NS 13-4’ ‘NS 13-5’ ‘NS 13-6’ ‘NS 14-3’ Plant vigor Strong Strong Strong Very strong Fruit size Very large Large to Medium to Medium to very large large large Fruit acidity Medium to High Low to Low to high medium medium Type of sepal Straight Straight Straight Straight Fruit firmness Medium to firm Firm Firm Firm Fruit Medium to High High to Medium to sweetness high very high high

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’ during the third year of growth under the ecological conditions prevailing at the breeder's property, which is located at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows fruit of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’, the fruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment. This photograph also depicts the very large fruit size and the color of the ripe fruit.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’. This photograph depicts a mature bush with ripe and unripe fruits, the very large fruit size, and the upright to semi-upright growth habit of the bush. The ripe fruit is sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph, which shows a portion of a vegetative stem of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’. This photograph depicts several blooms and the growth habit of the leaves.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows the leaves of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’. This photograph depicts several leaves showing the sizes and the upper and under side colorations thereof.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph, which shows portions of two vegetative stems bearing leaves, blooms, and fruit of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’. This photograph depicts two ripe fruits, the fruits being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment, and further shows leaves at different stages of maturation, the upper and under side coloration thereof, and fruit and blooms at different stages of maturation.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph, which shows two immature fruits of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’. This photograph depicts one fruit shortly after corolla fall and one fruit shortly before corolla fall, showing the sizes thereof.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph, which shows a fruit of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 13-4’. This photograph depicts a cross-sectional view of a ripe fruit, the fruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment. This photograph also depicts the very large fruit size, the color of the ripe fruit flesh, and the color of the seeds.

The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to variations in color printers and/or chemical development, processing and printing, the colors of the plant parts depicted in these photographs may, or may not, be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, color references are made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition, hereinafter, “RHS”) and descriptions provided.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION Not a Commercial Warranty

The following detailed description was prepared solely to comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty (either expressed or implied) that the present variety will, in the future, display the botanical, horticultural, or other characteristics set forth herein. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement, which is directed in whole, or in part, to the present new variety of plant.

Referring more specifically to the botanical features of this new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, the following has been observed during the third year of growth under the ecological conditions prevailing at the breeder's property, which is located at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia.

-   Plant: General.     -   -   Vigor.—Considered strong for the species. This is in             contrast to the seed parent ‘7-26’, wherein the plant vigor             is only considered medium, and is comparable to the pollen             parent ‘8-10’, wherein the plant vigor is likewise strong.             This is also in contrast to the closest known variety ‘EB             9-2’, wherein the plant vigor is considered strong to very             strong.         -   Growth habit.—Considered upright to semi-upright. This is in             comparison to the commercial variety ‘Ivanhoe’ (unpatented),             which is considered to be upright, and the commercial             variety ‘Bluetta’ (unpatented), which is considered to be             semi-upright.         -   Average size of plant.—1.25 meters in height by 0.90 meters             in width.         -   Internode length (space between nodes).—Considered medium,             18 to 21 millimeters (mm).         -   Bark color.—RHS Moderate Reddish Brown Group 174A.         -   One-year-old shoots.—Color — RHS Moderate Yellow Green Group             146D and RHS Greyish Reddish Orange Group 176C; surface             texture — smooth. The shaded side of shoots has the Moderate             Yellow Green and the sun side of shoots has the Greyish             Reddish Orange.         -   Fruiting type.—On one-year-old shoots and current season's             shoots, in like manner to commercial varieties ‘Concord’             (unpatented) and ‘Burlington’ (unpatented). -   Foliage: General.     -   -   Average leaf length.—Considered long for the species, 64.2             mm.         -   Average leaf width.—Considered broad for the species, 34.2             mm.         -   Color of leaf upper.—RHS Green Group 137B.         -   Color of leaf underside.—RHS Green Group 138B.         -   Vein color of plant leaf.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group 145B.         -   Venation pattern of leaf.—Pinnate reticulate.         -   Leaf apex.—Texture — Glabrous; shape — apex.         -   Petiole.—Average length — 3.10 mm; color — RHS Light Yellow             Green Group 145B; surface texture — smooth.         -   Leaf base shape.—Apex.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf margin.—Entire.         -   Leaf arrangement of plant.—Alternate. -   Flowers:     -   -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—6.         -   Average length of inflorescence (excluding             peduncle).—Considered medium, 10.14 mm.         -   Corolla shape.—Urceolate.         -   Corolla tube surface texture.—Ridges are present on the             corolla tube.         -   Average corolla size.—Considered large, 12 mm by 12 mm.         -   Average corolla aperture size.—3.71 mm         -   Corolla color.—RHS White Group NN155D.         -   Pedicel.—Color — RHS Light Yellow Green Group 145B; average             length — 8.64 mm.         -   Peduncle.—Color — RHS Light Yellow Green Group 145B; length             — 4.56 mm; diameter — 1.43 mm; texture — smooth.         -   Average calyx diameter.—Considered large to very large, 9.0             mm.         -   Average calyx basin depth.—Considered deep, 4.28 mm.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Considered erect.         -   Type of sepals.—Considered straight. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Average size of pollen anthers.—7.09 mm.         -   Color of pollen anthers.—RHS Brownish Orange Group N167B.         -   Average pistil length.—9.02 mm.         -   Pistil color.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group 142C. -   Fruit:     -   -   Color of unripe fruit.—RHS Strong Yellow Green Group 145A.         -   Color of fruit skin.—RHS Bluish Black Group 203C, also             considered “dark blue” in like color to the commercial             variety ‘Heerma’ (unpatented), after removal of bloom.         -   Color of ripe fruit flesh.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group             145C.         -   Color of seeds.—RHS Brownish Orange Group 167B.         -   Average fruit size.—Considered very large, 21.6 mm in             diameter and 15.83 mm in height. This is in contrast to the             seed parent ‘7-26’ and pollen parent ‘8-10’, wherein the             fruit size is only considered large. This is in further             contrast to the closest known variety ‘EB 9-2’, wherein the             fruit size is considered large to very large. Although ‘EB             9-2’ exhibits an average fruit diameter similar to ‘NS             13-4’, the ‘EB 9-2’ fruit is less uniform in size, with more             fruit smaller than the average size, so ‘EB 9-2’ is             considered large to very large.         -   Average weight of fruit.—2.4 grams.         -   Average fruit production.—5 to 8 kilograms on a three- to             four-year-old bush.         -   Berry shape.—Considered oblate.         -   Sweetness when ripe.—Considered medium to high for the             species.         -   Firmness when ripe.—Considered medium to firm for the             species.         -   Acidity when ripe.—Considered medium to high for the             species. This is in contrast to the seed parent ‘7-26’,             wherein the fruit acidity is considered low, and the pollen             parent ‘8-10’, wherein the fruit acidity is considered             medium. This is in further contrast to the closest known             variety ‘EB 9-2’, wherein the fruit acidity is considered             low to medium.         -   Cluster density.—Considered medium for the species; 6 to 8             berries per cluster.         -   Storability of fruit.—Considered excellent for the species             (storage trials at the breeding stage were at 3° C. to             replicate the back of standard refrigeration system and             berries needed to survive a minimum of 12 weeks to score an             “excellent” rating).         -   Market use of fruit.—1st grade fresh market fruit.         -   Date of bud burst.—This variety is evergreen, effectively             with buds, flowers, and fruit throughout the whole of the             year under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep,             Western Australia. Plants have performed best under             evergreen production conditions where chilling is not             calculated. Plants have survived in winter freezes of −6° C.             and have survived in temperature exceeding 45° C.         -   Date of vegetative bud burst.—August under the ecological             conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.         -   Date of bloom time.—February for one-year-old shoot             otherwise dormant during the Summer under the ecological             conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia. Also             considered very early on one-year-old shoot in like manner             to the commercial variety ‘Patriot’ (unpatented) and             considered very early on current year's shoot before the             commercial variety ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented), which is             considered early.         -   Duration of bloom time and bloom intensity.—12 weeks for             one-year-old shoot otherwise dormant during the Summer under             the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western             Australia; bloom intensity is considered low.         -   Beginning of fruit ripening.—Considered very early on             one-year-old shoot in like manner to the commercial variety             ‘Bluetta’ (unpatented) and considered very early on current             year's shoot prior to the commercial variety ‘O'Neal’             (unpatented), which is considered early.         -   First pick date.—April for one-year-old shoot otherwise             dormant during the Summer under the ecological conditions             prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.         -   Last pick date.—December under the ecological conditions             prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.         -   Pollination requirements.—Self-fertile.         -   Resistance to pests and disease.—No particular resistance             noted. The variety has not been tested to detect any             resistance.

Although the new variety of blueberry plant possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia, it should be understood that variations are to be expected in the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables, and horticultural management. 

Having thus described and illustrated a new variety of blueberry plant, what is claimed to secure a plant letters patent is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described, which is characterized principally as to novelty by a strong vigor and by producing fruit considered very large in size and medium to high in acidity under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia. 